Books for/about - garden

Publisher: HarperTrophy
Authors: Paul Fleischman Judy Pedersen

ISBN: 0064472078
List Price: $5.99
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Summary: A Garden of Love
Seedfolks is a 69 page book, an easy read. Seedfolks is a book that shows that all different races, religions, cultures, and ages can come together to make something nice and beautiful and have meaning. They took a dump-like place and made it into something beautiful.
Some things I liked about this book were, that you can see how the author makes it so everyone of different backgrounds and stuff come together and do something together as one whole. Another thing that I liked about the book was that the author demonstrates how you can except people for who they are. In this story it seems like everyone is the equal and stuff like that. Like for example there was thing young girl who was pregnant and when this book was written it was like a big deal if you were pregnant at an early age but when she went to the garden no one judged her or anything like that. Another good thing about the book is that there is like no anger or anything bad in it, it seems like when everyone goes to the garden all there problems go away and most people go there to relax and just have fun.
Some things I didn't like about the book were that you cant really get to know one character because the character only has like 3 or 4 pages and there is 13 characters in the book so there really isn't one main character. Also in this book there was no plot, climax and there wasn't that big of a problem I mean there was a little one but it really didn't have a lot to do with what was going on in the book. Another bad thing about the book is it wasn't very interesting I'm the type of person who likes to read a book that you cant put down that you get really into but with this book I didn't feel that way. Overall I think Seedfolks was a decent book.

Summary: A Book for Building Community
This small book (69 pages) contains thirteen vignettes, each written from the point of view of a different person. Although the people begin as strangers from various ethnic backgrounds, they become acquainted as each cultivates a part of a vacant lot. As the lot becomes a place of beauty, individual lives are transformed as well -- and a community is created.

_Seedfolks_ is an excellent tool for building community among people with diverse backgrounds -- perhaps especially among educators, parents, and students.

Summary: Good reading for children
This is a good book for children who does not understand the meaning of working together. Also, this book was structured very intelligently; so that any reader can follow the same story but from other people point of views. In addition; the way the author painted colorful pictures of the city was very unique.

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Natural Swimming Pools: Inspiration For Harmony With Nature (Schiffer Design Book)

Publisher: Schiffer Publishing
Authors: Michael Littlewood

ISBN: 0764321838
List Price: $49.95
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Avg Cusomer Rating: 5
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Summary: A wealth of insights and tips on how to construct - and maintain - a natural garden pool
NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS: INSPIRATION FOR HARMONY WITH NATURE offers a wealth of insights and tips on how to construct - and maintain - a natural garden pool. Surprisingly they are less costly to maintain than traditional chemical pools, save on water, and beautify a garden area more than less ecological offerings. Full-page color photos throughout illustrate such pools, surveying a range of designs and options and discussing biological conditioning, ecology, regeneration zones, and construction choice alike. It's the multitude of options and in-depth coverage on these options, paired with the color photo coverage, which makes NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS an extraordinary survey.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Summary: Long overdue book on an overdue topic
I have been keenly interested in the topic of natural swimming pools for about 5 years, but have been frustrated by the lack of information in English on the topic (there are several books in German - the homeland of the concept - but only a single manual in English).
Mr. Littlewood's book added substantially to my knowledge, gleaned from various websites, a handful of articles and research into conventional swimming pools, ponds and lake management.
But the book's value lies not so much in the (limited) technical information it provides as it does in thoroughly introducing the concept and presenting it beautifully. Mr. Littlewood is a distinguished landscape architect, and his book presents natural pools, in hundreds of beautiful pictures, in the context of landscaping.
But he doesn't focus solely on the aesthtic aspect. You'll also learn why these pools work so well without chemicals and concrete, making them environmentally friendly and a pleasure on the skin and eyes when you swim in them, and why they require less maintenance than conventional pools.
It's possible that some hard-headed American readers will be put off here and there by the author's environmental leaning and not-always-critical stance to the theory and practice of the natural swimming pool's Austrian and German pioneers, most of whom now offer patented systems that they are primarily interested in marketing.
But these are minor quibbles. The fact is, natural swimming pools are practical and make sense, and their pros (water quality, aesthetics, ecology, reduced maintenance, winter aesthetics/use) far outweigh their cons (greater risk of contracting water-borne illness, greater space requirements). Some 5000 have been built in Europe, including dozens (it might be up to hundreds) of public pools that satsify stringent German health requirements.
I think anyone interested in ecological or simply innovative or beautiful landscaping would enjoy this book.
But if you're interested in building a pond (especially for swimming) or a swimming pool (especially with alternative water sanitation), this book is an absolute must-have.
The author of this review is an American ex-pat who has lived in central Europe 14 years.

Summary: A visual and informative masterpiece!
I have been interested in the idea of natural swimming pools or swimming ponds for years, but I found information almost impossible to obtain. Until now. Littlewood's book is the best resource out there, hands down. Anyone interested in creating such a paradise in there own backyard will find this book invaluable. This is a 200+ page coffee table style book with hundreds of amazing photos. Friends not even interested in building their own love sitting down just to browse.

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	Red Lily: In the Garden Trilogy (In the Garden (Paperback)) Publisher: Jove Authors: Nora Roberts
ISBN: 0515139408 List Price: $7.99 Amazon Price: $7.99 Usually ships in 24 hours Buy this book from amazon.com or from amazon.co.uk	Avg Cusomer Rating: 5 Reviews: Summary: I've been to "In the Garden" Nora Roberts' greatest talent is in creating a realistic sense of place for the reader. She is better than almost all other present-day writers in this area. In the "In the Garden" trilogy, she takes us to a large plant nursery outside Memphis and makes it so that we can see the mansion, the gardens, carriage house, indeed, the entire locale. One almost feels that he has been there. Roberts creates the same realism in her other novels--Alaska, an island off New England, the Louisiana Bayous, etc. I would add as an aside that gardens are a recurring theme in Ms. Roberts' works, even in frigid "Northern Lights." Her characters are generally engaging, but she throws in one in "In the Garden" who is, for lack of a better term, annoying. The genealogist is supposed to be a "hottie," attracted to Ros, the principle character in the middle book, "Black Rose." But the genealogist/professor is pedantic one moment, as he carefully explains for the ignorant, and sappy the next as he romances his employer, Ros. A somewhat similar character appears in the Three Sisters Island trilogy by Ms. Roberts: a "scientist" who is investigating witches by using vaguely described technical instruments. The genealogist and quasi-scientist could have been of some other occupation and the books would have been better. I can accept witches and ghosts in fiction. They are part of a long literary tradition, from Shakespeare to J.K. Rowling. The failing is when a writer tries to look at ghosts and witches with some modern-scientific and logical perspective and thus destroys the illusion. The only exception is when this is done humorously, as in "Ghostbusters," and even then the results are questionable and silly. The plots are OK in all Ms. Roberts' books--nothing spectacular--just OK. She throws in sex scenes, generally two per novel. They are warm and gauzy sex scenes, lacking in specifics such as one came to accept in old movies. I suppose these episodes are necessary for some readers, but I don't believe the gratuitous bedroom (or in one case, the lawn} scenes add anything worthwhile. Closer editing would help in numerous cases. Surprising errors occur. The Atlanta Braves, for example, do not play the Seattle Mariners--ever. Celiac disease was unknown in Ros' grandfather's infancy. College basketball players cannot be drafted 10th in the first round by the Boston Celtics and still be playing college ball. Etc. Some may consider these niggling points, but they are the sort of thing that can puncture the balloon of reality for a reader. Despite the imperfections, the books are fine examples of escapist literature. I would not call them "chic lit." The term itself is somehow offensive. Fiction is either good or bad or somewhere in between. To defend a book's shortcomings by saying, "Well, it was written for women" is saying, "Well, it may be a bad book but women have no taste." I cannot accept that. Nora Roberts' books are not perfect. Few novels are. But the atmosphere alone is sufficient to bring me to read more by this writer. Summary: Nora Roberts is simply the best! I loved this trilogy. The Blue Dahlia started out a little slow, but soon grabbed my full attention. I couldn't wait to buy the Black Rose. I was not disappointed, but was even more in Nora's grip. The story line just gets better and better. The Red Lily finishes the series with a big bang. I highly recommend this trilogy. Summary: Ahhhh... Harper... what a hero.... Having been in the background of the last two books, Harper becomes a major force in this book! And my oh my.. what a wonderful hero he is. Hayley is charming.... and I love how the characters work their way towards each other as they finally solve the mystery. Fantastic read! Summary:

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Black Rose: In the Garden Trilogy (In the Garden (Paperback))

Publisher: Jove
Authors: Nora Roberts

ISBN: 0515138657
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Avg Cusomer Rating: 1
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Summary: slow, wordy
i really liked the first one and even went to my mom's house to pick up the second one (this) at 10:30 at night right after i had finished it because i was so pumped to read on. from the get go i could not get into this book and i had to force myself to get to page 120. not much has happened to make me want to finish it. very boring. not really into roz and mitch characters, i don't think they are very well developed, they seem kind of blah. and the story is kind of blah. blah, blah, blah, and just words for the blah, blah, blah going on and on.

Summary: A great novel
I'm a big fan of Nora Roberts and I've read some truly great books with her name plastered across the front. Then again, I've read some "not-so-good" novels too. But overall, she writes romance like no one else can. BLACK ROSE was probably one of the best novels with NR's name on the cover that I've read in a while. This is a the 2nd of a trilogy for story line and all I like reading now is Red Lily, which I'll be getting soon. I love a good romance story, but I hate trashy sex scenes. And this book has some of the tenderest and sweetest sex scenes that there is. That's probably another reason for the five-stars. But really, this book flows well with great characters and the paranormal worked in just beautifully. No need to go into what this one is about because there's been too many reviews posted. Just take my word for it. This one is a keeper.

Summary: Action Packed!
Initially, I would have expected that Rosalind would have been featured in the 3 book, but I understand why she wasn't. I found this to be thrilling... I couldn't put it down. I love the characters, and was frantic for the third book to come out. Compelling and worth the read! I'll definitely re-visit this story!

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The Landscape Lighting Book

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Authors: Janet Lennox Moyer

ISBN: 0471451363
List Price: $95.00
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Avg Cusomer Rating: 5
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Summary: Landscape Lighting 101
The Landscape Lighting book, by Janet Moyer, provides both an academic and practical level of landscaping lighting knowledge. Another good book, if you can find it, is the Ortho's book of How to Design and Install Outdoor Lighting.

In comparison, the Ortho book has more colorful pictures and offers a very colorful education - I'd say, more or less at a good high school level. If you want more of college level introduction to landscape lighting - perhaps, to start a business or to broaden your knowledge, The Landscape Lighting book is the book for you.

Summary: The Art and Craft of Landscape Lighting
The second edition of Janet Lennox Moyer's THE LANDSCAPE LIGHTING BOOK is an absolute necessity for everybody who works in landscape lighting or who is seriously interested in creating their own garden lighting. Ms Moyer has greatly revised and expanded the color plates and Chapter 4, "The Design Process - Documenting and Installing Landscape Lighting" as well as writing an entirely new Chapter 5 "Follow-up Work - Record Documents and Project Maintenance." These changes and additions and the many other updates make the new edition well worth the purchase price.

First published in 1992, THE LANDSCAPE LIGHTING BOOK has served as the single and indispensable reference for the landscape lighting industry. It has offered all new landscape lighting practitioners guidance and provided an emerging industry the foundation necessary on which to build solid practice. While there is a wealth of other books that offer how-to help and publish pretty pictures, none of them even attempt to define and explain professional practice for the landscape lighting industry with Ms Moyer's authority and confidence.

THE LANDSCAPE LIGHTING BOOK is not an easy book to read but it is well worth the effort. Once you understand the theory behind the short cuts and rules-of-thumb that other how to books offer, you are free to create your own. With the freedom you gain when you understand and can apply those fundamental principals and concepts to your landscape lighting, you become like the cook who ignores the printed recipe and creates a masterpiece of culinary art.

Summary: expert opinion
Still the best book for the professional. Invaluable resource for architects, landscape architects and landscape lighting designers. Broad and deep with plenty of technical information. I purchased this book in 1992 and I bought it again today (an electrician friend "lost" my original copy). A second edition (if planned) should include better information about transformer regulation (the ability of a low voltage lighting transformer to maintain 12v under load) and voltage drop (the dreaded decrease in voltage through the main supply cable) which are presented as formulae rather than actual measurements. Great photographs mostly of large scale projects. This book should be in every outdoor lighting designer's library.

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	Creative Concrete Ornaments for the Garden: Making Pots, Planters, Birdbaths, Sculpture & More Publisher: Lark Books Authors: Sherri Warner Hunter
ISBN: 1579905854 List Price: $24.95 Amazon Price: $15.72 Usually ships in 24 hours Buy this book from amazon.com or from amazon.co.uk	Avg Cusomer Rating: 5 Reviews: Summary: Thorough and Inspiring I am thrilled to have this book. I knew people were doing this type of work, and I have wanted to know how. Other books have provided bits & pieces, but Sherri's book is THOROUGH. Each time I came up with a question in my mind as I was reading, the answer would be on one of the next pages. After reading through her book, I feel confident and inspired to take on projects I had been afraid to tackle. She shows a wide variety of projects -- her instructions are CLEAR and easy to follow. I shared this with my sister (out of state) & her comment was, "I can't believe you let loose of this!" A truly inspiring book! Summary: Both practical and beautiful... I like this book because it has very detailed "how to" instructions to make concrete ornaments for your garden. The "how to" illustrations are very clear. The photographs of actual designs are beautiful. Summary:

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The Audubon Backyard Birdwatcher: Birdfeeders and Bird Gardens

Publisher: Thunder Bay Press (CA)
Authors: Robert Burton Stephen W. Kress National Audubon Society

ISBN: 1571451862
List Price: $19.98
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Avg Cusomer Rating: 5
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Summary: YOU CANNOT GO WRONG WITH THIS ONE
I have been a rather serious birder for well over fifty years now and when I first saw this book (it was a gift) I almost felt insulted...back yard birder indeed! Well, I was wrong...I admit it. I have actually enjoyed this one far more that several of the many hundred or so more technical books on the subject that inhabit my shelves. This is a wonderful quick reference and is quite well organized. I have interested grandchildern and I not when they are here, which is almost daily, they reach for this volume far more than any of the others. Sharing my passion and hobby with them is great and this work is a wonderful help tool. Recommend it highly.

Summary: Helps the Average Birdwatcher
"The Audubon Backyard Birdwatcher: Birdfeeders and Bird Gardens" is for the interested, but average birdwatcher. However, it might just inspire the reader to take it a level higher.

In Illinois, in the Chicago suburbs where I live, we are blessed with an abundance of birds. A lot of woods and water encourages them to visit. Farmland and large open fields and forests are within a few miles. We see hummingbirds on occasion, and hawks almost daily. Owls, herons, finches are all part of our landscape. The Audubon book helps sort through all of this.

I am an amateur's amateur. To call myself a birdwatcher would include myself with people who are much more aware of the birds they see. Still, I enjoy looking and noticing which visitors are flying by, and nesting nearby. When I travel, it is more exciting, as birds which would never dare come to my town fly abundantly in Washington DC, Atlanta, or Denver. Whipping out the guide quickly sorts out which bird it probably is.

The bird profiles are not the only feature. For me, it is my favorite, but there is much more. "Birdgardens" are garden optimized to attract and help birds thrive. You will learn about water and how to best provide it for which species, and about plants that help certain birds. You will learn, specifically, about plant strategies, like whether trees, shrubs or flowers are best, and in which cases you can have each.

The book understands the realities of budgets and average homes, and describes the best places to find what you need. In fact, the Appendices (around 10 pages) will be a great resource for any reader looking to step up their birdwatching a notch, with national and regional contacts, further reading, and, of course, information about the National Audubon Society.

I fully recommend "The Audubon Backyard Birdwatcher: Birdfeeders and Bird Gardens" by Robert Burton.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

Summary: best bird book for gifts and home
I bought several books of this type to determine which would be the best for my needs. I also bought the Bird Bible which does not stack up to this book at all. This book is comprehensive, colorful and fascinating. From the moment I picked it up I couldn't stop reading it. I can't wait to put all this information to us in my yard. A great gift for others as well. This book is well organized and has all the information you need to begin a great relationship with the birds in your area. It has sections on bird idenification, feeding, gardening, etc. A MUST HAVE BOOK!

** update**
I have since given this book to three others as a gift! It has been a big hit with each! Turing frieds into friends of the birds! It has been a wonderful hobby to share with friends and family.

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Susannah's Garden

Publisher: Mira
Authors: Debbie Macomber

ISBN: 0778323021
List Price: $23.95
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Avg Cusomer Rating: 4
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Summary: Excellent book
This book hits home for me as my mom has been in a nursing home for seven years. Ms. Macomber has hit the nail on the head as the role reversal scenes play themselves out. I hope those who will be going through that phase of life will take notes and be prepared for it. It's not an easy task but it a rewarding one. Thank you, Ms. Macomber.

Summary: Hated to see it end.
This book could have gone on forever and I wouldn't have minded. Susannah has been married for twenty-five years and is happy with her husband and two kids. So why is she dreaming of a boyfriend from long ago? She thought her dad was against her all those years. She gets a phone call from her mother's maid, who says her mom seems to be a bit confused and thinks Susannah should come and visit earlier than planned.

So she travels from Seattle to Colville, also hoping to meet up with the long lost boyfriend, Jake. She gets her mother to finally move into an assisted living facility, and is packing all her parent's stuff up in hopes of selling soon. Her daughter arrives without notice and says she wants to help her mom and also be there for her grandmother. In the meantime, she meets a "bad boy". Now Susannah knows how her parents felt when she was in love with Jake. Susannah starts to feel as if someone has been in the house a few times and taken belongings of her parents' and her dead older brother, Doug.

Mysteries unvail and Susannah figures out what her husband means to her. This book will go by so quick, you won't want it to end. I for one, hope there is another one coming!

Summary: Another Debbie Macomber Page-Turner
Debbie has written another good one. I enjoyed it very much and hated to see it end.

I loved Vivian, Susannah's mother, and would like to have spent more time with her.

There is only one negative I have regarding Debbie Macomber's books - they are so good, I just can't put them down so I don't get to relax and take my time savoring the contents, and then have to wait patiently for the next book.

I did figure out the "mystery" early on, but that's okay. I still enjoyed seeing how Debbie worked it all out and it did have a predictable "happy ending." In this angry, anxiety-driven world we live in, we can all use some happy endings, can't we?

Susannah's Garden was an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to the sequel as I get the feeling there will be a sequel - The Yarn Shop and the Florist...interesting possiblities on the way.

Summary:

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